The San Francisco 49ers clipped the wings of the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC’s top game. Brock Purdy’s offense is running hot after some initial difficulties. Some of his teammates are also satisfied with their desire for revenge.

In the past, the Philadelphia Eagles have always played with their role as underdogs. Especially in playoffs.

This time, however, they slunk into the catacombs like beaten dogs after their second defeat of the season. Which ended in downright disgrace. 19:42 on their own court.

The damage was not visible on the outside. But internally, many a cupboard in the Birds’ defense must have been broken. After all, the San Francisco 49ers’ offense – led once again by a phenomenal Brock Purdy – had run over them mercilessly.

And not just once. Not twice. Not even three times. No, six times. The last touchdown drive was a real quickie: 14 seconds. Or five plays. For 52 yards. Not only the opponent was amazed.

“It’s tough to play against this team,” said Eagles cornerback James Bradberry, stating the pretty obvious. From the perspective of the team with the best record in the league, the work against the ball had started perfectly.

In each of the first two drives, the 49ers lost space and were sent back to the sideline without a first down. Three and out, three and out. Sometimes 62 seconds, sometimes 61 seconds. -2 yards. -4 yards.

But between Purdy & Co.’s second and third field visits, somehow and at some point it clicked.

49ers deliver big plays against overmatched Eagles

Fortan made it happen – like the ketchup from his bottle. Or as D-lineman Arik Armstead noted in awe: “Once the drives picked up speed and we got first downs, the floodgates opened.”

The “Niners” slapped the overwhelmed Eagles in the face with one big play after another on the way to the special six-pack. Here a 32-yard pass to tight end George Kittle, there one over 33 yards to running back Christian McCaffrey. Plus touchdown passes to Deebo Samuel for 48 and 46 yards.

Even if the Eagles really had wings, they would hardly have gotten closer to their own end zone any faster. Because quarterback Purdy, the “Mr. Irrelevant” of the 2022 draft, had another great day.

314 passing yards for four touchdowns with a passing rate of a good 70 percent mean another fantastic QB rating of 148.8. It was his third in the past four games with a rating above 148.

Three touchdowns from Samuel – McCaffrey also scores

Samuel was almost unstoppable, catching passes for 116 yards and rushing for 22 yards. The receiver visited the end zone three times, one of which was a run. Linebacker Fred Warner had special praise for this: “I’m not surprised by performances like this. I think it’s safe to say that his actions speak louder than his words.”

Samuel had previously managed a total of four scores this season. McCaffrey was also almost unstoppable, finishing with 93 rushing yards including a touchdown and 40 receiving yards. The other scores through the air were provided by Brandon Aiyuk (46 receiving yards) and Jauan Jennings (44 receiving yards).

Together, they left the hosts dismayed. “When you don’t go out and play your best game against these guys and their coaches, that’s what it looks like,” Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni wrapped the applause for the opponent in a dose of self-criticism.

Purdy didn’t want to talk about an exceptional performance either. “Aside from the first two drives, that was the 49ers football we know, the offense we know. When everybody does their part, everything works,” said the quarterback, who is in his first NFL season as a starter.

Bosa out for revenge

His rookie year, which for weeks resembled a fairytale heading for a spectacular happy ending, had come to an end in the same place. In the NFC Championship Game. With an elbow injury.

So Lincoln Financial Field is the site of Purdy’s biggest defeat to date and his most painful experience in the league, regardless of the result. But others were thinking about the 7:31 in January. And hinted at a desire for revenge.

“We obviously wanted to pay them back,” emphasized lineman Nick Bosa, who contributed six tackles: “We tried not to think so much about last season, but we knew we could compete with them. “

And it wasn’t just the Californians’ offense that proved that. The defense, which has often been praised in the past, made life difficult for Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts.

The MVP candidate, who had to be checked out in between due to a possible concussion, criticized: “We weren’t able to perform the way we wanted to in the red zone. When you play against such a good team, it takes its toll. Every little thing counts.”

The first two drives ended with two short field goals from 26 and 39 yards. As a result, “Philly” only led 6:0 when the 49ers fireworks began. And only came to an end at the end of the game

Heated game in Philadelphia and hope for a bye

“San Fran” would certainly have had a few things up its sleeve. Which Head Coach Kyle Shanahan’s team can save for the tasks ahead. Because the decisive phase of the season is approaching.

The 49ers are just one win behind the Eagles. A reunion in the playoffs is anything but out of the question. Rather pre-programmed.

The atmosphere was already heated at times in this Week 13 meeting. San Francisco linebacker Dre Greenlaw and Philadelphia security director Dom DiSandro were ejected after a scuffle.

The next time they meet, it will be the reigning NFC champions looking for revenge. “Hopefully we’ll see them again,” Bradberry sent the 49ers on their way home. After all, they are comfortable in the role of underdog.

Center Jason Kelce is also positive about the future: “I still have the utmost confidence in everyone in the locker room, on both sides of the ball. This game didn’t change that.”

The 49ers have already shown what the response to bitter setbacks should look like.

After three defeats in a row, the team from the west coast recovered and has been winning statement games week after week ever since. Which have at least temporarily left their mark on their opponents